The Perfect Planter for Growing Tomatoes
Published by EarthBox® - the experts on container gardening since 1994
First published October 2, 2023 | Updated January 27, 2026
Ah, tomatoes. Those vibrant and tangy delights bring gardens to life and elevate any dish they grace. Growing them, however, isn’t just about popping a seed into the soil.
The magic often lies in the choice of your planter. So, if you're venturing into the world of tomato cultivation or aiming to up your game, this guide is for you.
Tomatoes Are a Home Gardening Favorite
Tomatoes are the most popular homegrown vegetable in America.
According to gardening statistics compiled by Ruby Homes, tomatoes appear in 86 percent of home gardens, making them the most commonly grown home vegetable by a wide margin.
| Vegetable | % of Gardens |
| Tomatoes | 86% |
| Cucumbers | 47% |
| Sweet peppers | 46% |
| Beans | 39% |
| Carrots | 34% |
| Summer squash | 32% |
| Onions | 32% |
| Hot peppers | 31% |
| Lettuce | 28% |
| Peas | 24% |
That popularity explains why tomatoes are often the first crop people try when they start container gardening. It also explains why choosing the right planter matters more for tomatoes than almost any other home vegetable.
Tomatoes Like Planting Boxes with Space
Tomatoes aren't like your hardy succulents that can weather almost any container. They have a deep-reaching root system. And that means your planter must provide adequate room for that system to grow. That applies to its width and depth.
The size of the gardening container also impacts how frequently you'll need to water. The smaller the container, the more regularly you'll have to water your tomato plants.
The benchmark for the perfect tomato planter starts at 18 inches in diameter. You'll want to target 10 gallons of soil. That will easily house determinate tomato varieties.
However, it's a good idea to bump to a 24-inch diameter with indeterminate tomato varieties. You'll also want to target 20 gallons of soil.
What is the Best Sized Planter for Tomatoes?
When growing tomatoes in containers, size really does matter.
Smaller planters dry out faster, restrict root growth, and limit fruit production. Larger planters hold moisture longer and support stronger, more productive plants.
Tomato Planter Size Guide
| Tomato Type | Minimum Size | Ideal Size | Typical Diameter |
| Determinate (Bush) | 5–7 gallons | 10+ gallons | 18 inches |
| Indeterminate (Vining) | 10 gallons | 20–24 gallons | 24 inches |
For a deeper look at choosing the right container size for your tomato plants, including additional recommendations for depth, volume, and stability, check out our complete guide on how big a container should be for tomatoes.
Read more: What is the Best Size Container for Growing Tomatoes?
Sizing Guidelines for Tomato Planters
Choosing the right planter size is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when growing tomatoes in containers. The size of your planter affects root development, moisture retention, and overall fruit production. Use these general guidelines to match your container size to the type of tomato you’re growing.
Determinate (Bush) Varieties
- Minimum 5–7 gallons
- Ideal 10 gallons or more
- About 18 inches in diameter
Indeterminate (Vining) Varieties
- Minimum 10 gallons
- Ideal 20–24 gallons or more
- About 24 inches in diameter
Bigger containers reduce watering frequency, support larger root systems, and yield heavier crops over the growing season.
Fill Your Tomato Planter with Quality Potting Soil
You can select the perfect size for your tomato planter. But it won't matter unless you fill it with a high-quality potting mix.
Tomatoes are like gourmet diners. They want well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. While you're investing time and money into the perfect planter, don’t skimp on the soil.
Although we suggest using quality soil, you want a soilless potting mix for tomato gardening boxes. It needs to be light for air, water, and nutrient flow. So, it must include perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss.
Ideally, sphagnum peat moss is a core ingredient. It holds water, keeping your soil mixture moist throughout. That means better moisture for your plants, helping them flourish. It also means fewer watering requirements for you.
Tomato Planter Box Options
It's tempting to grab the first planter you see, thinking it will be fine. For example, terra cotta plants look natural, fit most any decor, and are readily available at garden centers.
But they dry out quickly as air and water move through them easily. Additionally, they're prone to cracking, so you'll replace them more often.
Wooden planters have an old-school charm. There's no question their rustic appeal makes gardens feel a tad bit more connected to nature.
But you must be wary of chemicals, as many receive treatments to improve their longevity. Those chemicals can leach into the soil and defeat the quest for organic gardening.
If you aren't concerned with aesthetics, grab a five-gallon bucket. It will easily hold determinate varieties. Just punch holes in the bottom for drainage.
The Best Material for Tomato Planters
The most practical solution for growing tomatoes is good, old plastic. It's valuable and inexpensive compared to other planters.
They're lightweight champions that won’t break the bank or your back when moving them around. Some plastic planters are available with a garden stand, making them even more accessible.
Plastic withstands temperature extremes. So you won't face cracking issues like terra cotta. That means fewer worries about replacing your planting boxes.
Even more importantly, plastic retains moisture, reducing the need for watering.
One caution: avoid black plastic gardening containers. Black absorbs and retains heat from the sun. It then pushes that heat into the soil, which can damage roots.
Considerations When Choosing a Tomato Planter
When choosing a planter for tomatoes, a few fundamentals matter most:
Size Matters
Bigger containers hold moisture longer and support stronger root systems, resulting in more fruit.
Drainage is Crucial
Your container must have adequate drainage to prevent root rot.
Material Affects Performance
Plastic retains moisture and resists cracking. It’s best to avoid dark-colored containers, as they can overheat roots.
Fabric grow bags improve aeration and drainage.
One Plant Per Pot
Each tomato plant should have its own dedicated container for maximum growth and airflow.
Consistent moisture matters
Self-watering planters reduce water stress and improve overall plant health.
“As popular as tomatoes are, most container failures come down to root space and inconsistent watering. When you give tomatoes enough room to grow and keep moisture consistent, everything else becomes easier.” – Mark Bolt, Vice President of EarthBox®
That’s why many of the best tomato planters now include built-in self-watering features to maintain consistent moisture.
Invest in a Self-Watering Gardening Box for Tomatoes
Another advantage of plastic planting boxes is that many have self-watering features. For example, EarthBox tomato planters include a patented sub-irrigated growing system that outperforms traditional in-ground gardening.
Self-irrigated planters (SIPs) introduce water from the bottom of the container. The tomato plants absorb the water through capillary action. You add water to the container with a fill tube.
Self-watering garden boxes lack the drainage holes of typical planters. Instead, the planter's bottom reservoir maintains a ready water supply to help plants grow.
One of the biggest concerns of plant care is too much or too little water. SIP planters eliminate that concern. You can leave briefly and be confident that your plants will receive enough water to grow well.
The Perfect Tomato Planter Includes a Staking System
If you grow tomatoes, you'll need a trellis or staking system. Tomato plants have a lot of sprawl that needs control. Apart from controlling the plant, trellises have other benefits:
- They allow more sunlight to reach the plant.
- They reduce exposure to fungal diseases.
- Plants receive better air circulation.
- Your plants stay off the ground where they face exposure to insects and disease.
- Trellises keep things looking neater.
If your tomato planter doesn't have one, you'll need to buy one separately. Conversely, companies like EarthBox include a trellis with their tomato planters. So you'll have what you need from the get-go.
If you’re starting from seedlings, timing and technique matter. Transplanting at the right stage helps reduce shock and encourages stronger early growth.
EarthBox: The Perfect Planter for Tomatoes
To get the perfect tomato planter, there’s one name to know: EarthBox. Its container gardening system has been the top-rated and most trusted since 1994.
To make its tomato planter even more perfect, EarthBox offers a tomato-growing kit. It includes:
- Tomato planter
- Staking system
- Casters/wheels
- Organic potting mix
- Fertilizer
Everything you need to grow luscious tomatoes anywhere. You’ll even get a satisfaction guarantee.
Related Reading
If you’re ready to take the next step in growing tomatoes at home, these guides can help: